Iconic Performer, Best Known for “God Bless the U.S.A.,” Pushes Key Lawmakers to Require Radio Corporations to Finally Start Paying Artists for Their Music
WASHINGTON – Prior to appearing at a rally on the National Mall with President Donald J. Trump this Wednesday, country music icon Lee Greenwood met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the American Music Fairness Act (H.R.861/S.326), legislation that requires AM/FM radio corporations to pay artists when their music is played on air.
On Tuesday evening, Greenwood met with U.S. Representatives Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA), Addison McDowell (R-NC), Jimmy Patronis (R-FL), Bob Latta (R-OH), Mark Alford (R-MO), Steve Womack (R-AR), and dozens more to urge that they close a loophole under which broadcasters are not required to compensate the performers whose songs draw in listeners and generate nearly $14 billion in advertising revenue each year.
“I’m incredibly blessed and grateful for the career I’ve had. This isn’t about me. It’s about the next generation of artists and session players, studio musicians, and backup singers whose names you don’t know, but who do incredible work and deserve to get paid for it,” said Greenwood. “When a song plays on the radio, every one of those people helped make it, but right now the law says they get nothing. That’s just not the American way. Congress has the power to fix it and they should do so.”
The American Music Fairness Act requires radio corporations to start paying artists when their music plays on AM/FM radio. Enacting this bill will finally bring the United States in line with the standard adopted by nearly every other developed country in the world today. As it stands, the U.S. is one of just a few nations – including North Korea, Cuba, and Iran – that do not guarantee artists payment for radio airplay.
“Lee Greenwood’s music has inspired this country for decades and he is now lending his voice to advocate for American artists everywhere,” added Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, the non-profit designated to collect and distribute digital streaming royalties to artists. “Big radio is the only music platform in America that can use someone else’s product to make money without ever paying for it. The American Music Fairness Act will fix that problem. It’s time for Congress to send this bill to the President’s desk.”
Greenwood joins a broad and growing coalition of artists supporting the American Music Fairness Act, including Gene Simmons, Mýa, Boyz II Men, and Randy Travis, all of whom have come to Washington to urge Congress to close the radio loophole. The bipartisan legislation is also supported by President Trump, nearly two dozen conservative policy groups, and more than 300 major recording artists.
Fans and supporters can take action alongside Greenwood by sending a letter to their representatives at https://musicfirstcoalition.org/music-fairness-action/.
